Method and apparatus for disposable storage and utilization of bedding materials

ABSTRACT

In the storage and utilization of disposable bedding materials as for example for institutional usage, comprising bedding materials roll secured to a portable bed, which includes tensioning therefor, whereby the lowermost of two bedding materials such as sheets are held in stretched relation to the mattress of a bed, the system to include means for shifting used portions, for cutting same while simultaneously replacing same in bedding relation to the mattress.

' [51] Int. Cl.-

United States Patent Oats [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPOSABLE STORAGE AND UTILIZATION OF BEDDING MATERIALS [72] Inventor: Edwin O. Oats, Indianapolis, Ind. [73] Assigneez Roll-A-Sheet, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, I970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,979

[52] US. Cl. ..5/3l7 R, 5/334, 297/222 ..A47c 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..5/3l7, 334; 297/222, 283;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hess ...5/3l7 R [4 Feb. 15, 1972 3,388,406 6/ I968 Schrivener ..S/3l7 R 3,344,444 l0/l967 McNeal ...5/3l7 R 3,343,183 9/1967 Sannes ..5/3l7 R 2,339,828 1/1944 Worth ..297/222 X Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. Calvert Attorney-J. Gibson Semmes [57] ABSTRACT In the storage and utilization of disposable bedding materials as for example for institutional usage, comprising bedding materials roll secured to a portable bed, which includes tensioning therefor, whereby the lowermost of two bedding materials such as sheets are held in stretched relation to the mattress of a bed, the system to include means for shifting used portions, for cutting same while simultaneously replacing same in bedding relation to the mattress.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPOSABLE STORAGE AND UTILIZATION OF BEDDING MATERIALS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the system as adapted to a portable bed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the bedding material shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, the rollablesheet system 100 includes in combination the bed frame 110, mounted upon portable rollers as shown, the frame securing the roll 120 by means of the roll arms 112 and removable axis 114. Adjacent the mattress 140 and at the head thereof are plural tension rol-' lers 116 and 116' through which the disposable sheet 120 together with its upper component 130 passes as it is rolled from its position of storage to its temporary positioning, contiguous the top of the mattress 140.

The sheet component includes top sheets 130, the same being of discontinuous sections, secured at the bottom end of said top sheet by adhesive means, transversely of the lower sheet, said lower sheet comprising a continuous blank. The top sheet 130 includes in storage the cuff 132, folded initially upon itself, as indicated. The top sheet 130 preferably having greater width than the bottom sheet element is again folded at its sides 134-]34' whereby the cuff and sides of the sheet are in packaging of substantially the same width as the lower sheet portion. In this way, the entire sheet is adhesively secured (136) on the roll I20, precedent to the components positioning, adjacent the mattress 140. In making the bed, the top sheet sides 134-134 and bottom sheet sides 122-122 are folded outwardly and downwardly of the mattress I40 and the bed is ready for further making in the usual manner by the addition of a blanket and/or other covers. Noteworthy in the construction is the disposition of working elements to avoid interference with normal bed covers and/or pillows. Spacer segments 124 (not shown) in the lower sheet are provided between bed segments 120 to provide a means of connecting the useable sheets together, A horizontal cut is made in each side of the sheet folds so that the bottom sheet, when positioned may have its sides folded down and tucked under the mattress.

ln securing the sheet for utility, it is passed over idler 116" clockwise and in counterclockwise relation to the tension drive 118, said drive ideally holding the sheet in compression contact with the idler 116" against disposition while in use. The free end of the sheet is adapted to pass under the shear means whereby upon passage of the entire complement of top and bottom sheet, it may be cut and discarded substantially simultaneously as a new and fresh combination is brought into register in contiguous relation to the top of the mattress 140. The specific relation of the top and bottom sheet segments is shown in FIG. 3. Appropriately, markings on the sheet will define its registry position relative to the shear I50. Again, in lieu of a shear, the sheet may be scored at utility intervals sufficient in length to accommodate one bed making at a time; e.g.: spaced relative to the top sheet segments.

Whereas invention has been shown in its simplest form, it is obvious that various means of securing and passing the rolled sheet into and out of registry with the supporting mattress may be adapted without departing from the spirit of theinvention in which I claim:

l. The combination with a bed having a mattress of disposable bedding in tension contact therewith comprising:

A. means supported by the bed to rollably secure multiple segments of lowermost and topmost bedding sheets; B. said disposable bedding comprising in spaced relation, a topmost sheet, folded at its edges upon itself to conform in size to the transverse width of said lowermost sheet; C. means mounted at the opposite end of sa|d bed to tension advance portions of said segments into and out of registry with the supporting mattress of said bed; and

'D. means to sever complemental used portions of the disposable bedding.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the topmost bedding sheet is size-for-size adapted in length to the overall length of the bed, per se, said topmost sheet having a cuff, said cuff being folded upon itself at ends, coextensively with the topmost sheet edges, whereupon as said bed is made, said edges and cuff ends will depend along the sides of the bed mattress.

'3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the topmost sheet has edges overlying the edges of said lowermost sheet in storage and sheet spacer segment means between complemental bed portions of the lowermost sheet, said spacer segment means being horizontally cut at edges thereof whereby the lowermost sheet may be unfolded downwardly during use. 

1. The combination with a bed having a mattress of disposable bedding in tension contact therewith comprising: A. means supported by the bed to rollably secure multiple segments of lowermost and topmost bedding sheets; B. said disposable bedding comprising in spaced relation, a topmost sheet, folded at its edges upon itself to conform in size to the transverse width of said lowermost sheet; C. means mounted at the opposite end of said bed to tension advance portions of said segments into and out of registry with the supporting mattress of said bed; and D. means to sever complemental used portions of the disposable bedding.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the topmost bedding sheet is size-for-size adapted in length to the overall length of the bed, per se, said topmost sheet having a cuff, said cuff being folded upon itself at ends, coextensively with the topmost sheet edges, whereupon as said bed is made, said edges and cuff ends will depend along the sides of the bed mattress.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the topmost sheet has edges overlying the edges of said lowermost sheet in storage and sheet spacer segment means between complemental bed portions of the lowermost sheet, said spacer segment means being horizontally cut at edges thereof whereby the lowermost sheet may be unfolded downwardly during use. 